Rowan Students Explore the Dynamic Relationship Between Faith and Science: Insights & Reflections

On January 22, Rowan University welcomed Dr. Stephen Barr, a theoretical physicist and author, to speak about the relationship between science and religion. His lecture, “Science and Religion: The Myth of Conflict,” was part of an event organized by the Rowan Catholic Campus Ministry.

The event attracted many students who were curious about how faith can connect with scientific understanding. Dr. Barr aimed to dispel the common belief that science and religion must clash. He argued that they can complement each other instead.

Dr. Barr shared examples of Catholic scientists who made significant contributions to science, showing that faith can coexist with rigorous scientific inquiry. He encouraged students to see modern science as compatible with, and sometimes supportive of, Christian beliefs, rather than in opposition to them.

“Many things that inspire me as a Catholic also drive my passion for science,” Dr. Barr pointed out. He believes that both science and faith arise from a desire to understand the wonder of creation.

Many students found his message reassuring. After the lecture, discussions continued at the ministry’s Newman House, where students expressed their thoughts and reflections.

Peter Gawason, a senior in biophysics, shared that his deep connection to faith helps him understand the complexities of science. He even writes “Jesus, Mary, and Joseph” on his exam papers, reminding himself of his beliefs as he studies. He remarked, “The more I learn, the more I believe there’s an author behind everything I see.”

Gawason was particularly intrigued by Dr. Barr’s points about free will and God’s plans for humanity. “It’s a challenging thought,” he acknowledged. He wants to dive deeper into what saints have said about these topics.

Sierra Finn, a junior in biomedical engineering, related her own struggles with merging scientific concepts and faith. As a child, she was puzzled by how evolution could fit into the belief that God created mankind. “It makes me think a little harder,” she said, though her faith remains solid. She views science as a way to appreciate God’s creation, suggesting, “Science helps us observe the world He made.”

Resty Mercado, also a senior in biomedical engineering, found that as he studies science, his wonder about God grows. He described it as a challenge but also a source of awe. “How could there not be a God?” he pondered. Learning about Christian scientists reassured him that many have found evidence of the divine in their scientific work.